"He might have, but I can't remember.  It was so long ago.  Maybe you could remind of when it happened and I'll remember it." she said.  

"it would have been almost twenty five years ago when he introduced us. Right now, I'm just glad we could be freed from those abominations, we were next in line to fuel their spirits," she said, shuddering at the thought, "It's good to see Kor again though. I was worried we'd never get to see him again."

"I remember now.  I was a year and a half at the time, small for my age, couldn't talk and I walked with a limp.  He called me over and introduced us.  I could only wave to you and chirp.  I think that was maybe thirteen years ago, though.". she said, remembering just how small and adventurous she was.  "You should go and see him as well.  He missed you so much.  Then maybe after we can see if you and you kids could get a second chance." she said.

"Ah yes, i remember now. I knew you would grow to be strong, but I never would have guessed you would grow up strong enough to take on demons like those two," she said, starting to churr, "I'm sure Konoki's around here somewhere. His scent tells me he's somewhere close. As for the second chance, the rituals needed are those only the forest would know. Humans have long since left those magics behind."

"I might know.  If not, I could ask Mother Willow.  As for Konoki, I'll got see if I can find him." she said as she got up.  But after the first step, she fell back to the ground, her hand going instinctively to the place on her back where her spine had fractured all those years ago.  "Or not.  I guess this means another trip to the flower." she said with annoyance as she madeher staff materialize in her hand.  She then got up, lean I g on it and found Konoki.  "Konoki, Mira was wondering where you went." she said.  "And I need to go do something real fast.  I'll be back." she said as she flew off towards her flower.

Konoki gasped in surprise and went over to Mira.  "It's been years since I last saw you, Mira."

"Same could be said about you. Ten years can have such a great impact on one can't it," she said with a smile, "I told you Shazra would grow up to do great things. You made the right decision when you brought her in."

"I guess I did." he said.

Goldenscale had reached her flower and was now in the process of fixing her link to the forest once more as well as the growing pain in the spot above her spinal fracture.

"You going to be alright," Tieral asked when he entered the cave the flower was hidden in, "Did the demons actually damage you any?"

"I don't guess you ever got to meet Raira or Xis. It shocked me to find out that dragon and gryphon DNA are compatible," Mira said, "Aside from their beeks and feathered wings, they look mostly like their father."

"I'm fine." she said quickly.  She didn't want him finding out that in the process of fighting the demons and them warping her connection her spine had begun to break as it had before.  "I'll be fine.  I'm just making the link stronger." 

"But they look like you as well." he said with a smile.

"I noticed one of the demons had grabbed something, but I couldn't see it. I'm guessing they were trying to break your connection to this flower," he said, watching Goldenscale, unaware of the damage, "Strengthening the connection may increase the distance you can travel away from the flower. Can't say for sure, but it's a possible theory."

"True, they do resemble me as well. It doesn't matter though, they'll always be beautiful to Kor and me," she said, watching as the hatchlings climbed on Kokkorok, "How's the clan doing? Last I talked to you, you were looking for a new water souce."

"Exactly, Tieral." she said.  She brought her hand once again to the break in her spine absentmindedly as she got up and began to walk back to the clearing with a slight limp.

"It somehow showed up the very next morning.  No one knows how it ended up there, but I'm starting to think that Shazhra had something to do with it." he said.

"You sure you're OK," he asked as he fallowed, "You might have over strained yourself."

"I wouldn't doubt it. She has a connection with nature few can match. I wish I could have a connection like that, but I'm sure there are great downsides to such a bind" she said, "If we ever get to reclaim our bodies, I'll be sure to bring the kid for a visit."

"I'm fine, Tieral." she said, reaching the group again.  "I suggest moving everyone inside the border." she said out loud.

"But sometimes I wish the child was normal.  She has had to deal with so much more than the average adult.  She's destroyed several evil spirits, a litch, and now two demons.  And its her they're after, her and her power.  She can summon power to raise the dead buried in the ground for miles and still be able to control it.  So they come constantly to harm her and take her for themselves.  I heard they tried to kill her recently, but the willow didn't give out any details other than that.  And yet, she does not despise them..." he said.  He then got up, hearing Goldenscale's suggestion.  "I think we should move inside the barrier, Kira." he said, holding his paw out to her.

"Normal is a relative term Konoki. For all we know, she could be normal under a different  group's perception of normal," she said as she stood to fallow Kokkorok back inside the barrier, "She has her own ethics. If she holds to them, then there is no problem in my eyes. She is a precious gem in a box of black stone, and she's determined to turn that stone into gems of their own respect."

(I'm going to be gone tonight.  I'm going to see fireworks again and maybe go swimming.)

"She already has done that.  She does such a wonderful job at that that I hear she was inducted into the council after she was cave for three days.  She sees something in even the worst of people and in her wise words, it changes people." he said, walking into the barrier.